Quality education at Garibaldi school

Garibaldi College has received a Good Ofsted report, pictured with students are deputy head Ryan Hawley and headteacher Chris James in the new cafe

Published:15:12Monday 22 April 2013

Share this article

HIGH ambitions for the school and its students is one of the driving forces behind the successful leadership of Garibaldi College and its subsequent ‘Good’ Ofsted rating.

Inspectors recently visited the Forest Town school and found it ‘good’ in all areas including pupil achievement, quality of teaching, leadership and management as well as the behaviour and safety of pupils.

The report was welcomed by headteacher Chris James.

“This is not only a fantastic outcome for Garibaldi College, but also for the whole of Mansfield,” said Mr James. “Our young people deserve good schools and around Mansfield they have not always had the quality of education that they deserve to give them the best chance in the future.

“The praise the Ofsted team has given sends out a clear message that Mansfield can compete with the very best.”

School leaders, teachers and support staff were all recognised in the report for their contribution to their pupils’ success.

Careful planning, contribution of teaching assistants and effective leadership and management were all commended as helping the pupils achieve.

By the end of Year 11 the examination results are better than the national average despite many students arriving in Year 7 with attainment below average for their age.

The governing body were also noted for their effectiveness in holding the senior leaders to account for tackling areas for improvement.

The school didn’t make the top ‘Outstanding’ grade by Ofsted because ‘some students achievement is hindered by their poor attendance’ and in a minority of classes, ‘students do not make enough progress due to teachers not checking their understanding well enough’.

The school was last inspected in March 2011 when it secured a ‘Satisfactory’ rating. This latest ‘Good’ inspection has shown the school has improved over two years and has the ability to improve further.